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How to Make a Fast Paper Airplane

Last Updated: March 23, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Natalie Kay Smith . Natalie Kay Smith is a sustainable fashion writer and the owner of Sustainably Chic, a sustainability-focused blog. Natalie has over 5 years of sustainable fashion and green living writing and has worked with over 400 conscious brands all over the world to show readers fashion can exist responsibly and sustainably. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 867,383 times.

The image most people have of paper airplanes involves a badly folded sheet of notebook paper floating lazily around a school classroom. The basic design has come a long way over the years, however, and it’s now a breeze to make a paper airplane that can zip along at high speed and cover about the same distance as a good frisbee toss. All it takes is a couple of minutes and a steady hand. Find yourself a piece of sturdy paper, make tight, precise folds and watch your creation sail.

Folding the Paper Airplane

Step 1 Start with a flat sheet of paper.

  • It’s easiest to make the folds of your airplane from the top of the paper down.
  • For the purpose of following these instructions, a basic sheet of 8.5”x11” (most comparable to A4 paper outside the US) letter paper will work best.
  • You can use shipping paper.
  • Or reuse old paper boxes for this purpose.
  • The center crease is made to serve as a reference point for later folds.
  • You can also fold the paper in half width-wise, if you choose. This will help guide the first couple of vertical folds you make.
  • Leave 2-3 inches (5-7.5cm) of space between the point of the triangle and bottom of the paper.
  • Folding the paper over on itself adds weight to the plane as it reduces its size, giving it the heft to allow it to fly farther.
  • This last folded point at the top of the paper will serve as the nose of the plane.
  • The technique of using a triangular flap to secure a fold is known as the "Nakamura lock," named after the origami practitioner who invented it.
  • Folding the paper back on itself wraps the lower triangular piece around the outside of the bottom of the plane, holding it in place and making it easier to grip and throw.
  • Be careful not to bend the wings while folding them.
  • Go somewhere with plenty of space and give your new airplane a toss. Airplanes made with this design fly far and straight and can reach some pretty impressive speeds. [10] X Research source

Making Adjustments

  • Blunt-nosed planes give up a little speed but fly much further due to their streamlined construction. [11] X Research source
  • It’s normal for the plane to curve a little, so only adjust the wing height if the plane is spiraling out of control when thrown.
  • Paper airplanes operate on the same physical principles that allow real planes to fly. A slight curve of the wings is necessary to turn air resistance into lift. [13] X Research source
  • Try a blunt-nosed design if your plane has a problem with taking a nosedive. Pointed noses can easily become damaged when they hit the ground.
  • Attempting to throw too hard can also cause the nose to rise, stalling the plane. Launch the plane with a smooth, straight motion of the arm and wrist to send it on its way steadily.

Choosing the Right Paper

Step 1 Choose a piece of paper with the right weight.

  • The types of paper commonly used in offices—crisp, smooth and perfectly weighted—often make for excellent paper planes.
  • It’s okay to use thinner paper for smaller planes, since the compact size will compensate for the weight difference. Likewise, heavier paper can be used to make oversized planes.

Step 2 Make sure it’s a standard size.

  • If you’re working with scrap paper, cut or tear it until it’s roughly the proportions of letter paper, then reproduce the folds on a slightly larger or smaller scale.
  • Raw, foil, laminate and glossy papers do not take a fold well.
  • Apply pressure to each crease you make and go over it a couple of times. The neater the fold, the better it will maintain its shape.

Community Q&A

Community Answer

  • Always pick your paper airplane up by the nose to keep from damaging the wings. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Test the paper airplane in a wide-open area with lots of space so that it doesn't collide with any obstacles. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • For the best flight, throw the airplane forward and up at a slight angle. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Tips from our Readers

  • If your plane isn't quite right that first go, keep at it! Tweak things bit by bit and test fly again until you get it how you want. Don't let setbacks discourage you.
  • When trying out different airplane designs, use sheets of paper that match in size and thickness for an even comparison. Paper variables impact how designs fly.
  • Use a ruler if you struggle to fold straight lines freehand. Precision is key for your plane to fly right. Just don't tear the paper in the process.
  • Avoid weighing down your plane with bold markers or decorations. That added heft throws off proper flight. Keep the design simple and light.
  • If you mess up on a fold, use that sheet for something else and start over with a fresh sheet of paper for your plane.

how to make a paper fast airplane

  • Keep your airplane from crashing into things. Once it's bent or damaged, it may not fly right again. Thanks Helpful 101 Not Helpful 27
  • If your paper airplane gets wet, it's ruined. Thanks Helpful 98 Not Helpful 32
  • Don't throw paper airplanes at people, especially if they have pointed noses. Thanks Helpful 92 Not Helpful 33

Things You'll Need

  • A smooth, sturdy sheet of paper (preferably 8.5"x11" letter paper or A4 paper)

You Might Also Like

how to make a paper fast airplane

  • ↑ https://rolemodels.wise.iastate.edu/uploads/1/3/f/13f4bb00c100eee7ae0d2506728eec3e83cc618b/Paper-Airplane-Designs.pdf
  • ↑ https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/make-a-straw-rocket/
  • ↑ https://www.exploratorium.edu/exploring/paper/airplanes.html
  • ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veyZNyurlwU
  • ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AljTDb2cyhc
  • ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7ec7qCHwzc
  • ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Cy3lRJGiR4
  • ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-5OxzPKr0w
  • ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuyx-49vvWE
  • ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI-sG-9PMlk
  • ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B9ciJvLWcs

About This Article

Natalie Kay Smith

To make a fast paper airplane, fold a sheet of paper in half lengthwise and unfold it. Next, fold both corners down until they’re even with the center crease and press the creases to hold them in place. Then, fold down the top triangle, bring the corners in so they meet in the middle, and fold the triangular flap at the bottom up and over the angled folds to secure them. Fold the paper outward to form the body of the plane, then make one last fold to form the wings! For tips on making crisp folds and creases, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Make the Fastest Paper Airplane

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Introduction: How to Make the Fastest Paper Airplane

How to Make the Fastest Paper Airplane

This is how to make the fastest paper airplane I've ever seen. I call it the Eagle.

Step 1: Fold in Half

Fold in Half

This is an easy step. Just fold an 8.5 x 11" sheet of paper in half down the center like pictured, and then open it up again so that it lays flat.

Step 2: Fold the Cockpit

Fold the Cockpit

Fold the cockpit of your paper airplane so that the flap corners meet at the center line.

Step 3: Fold the Cockpit Down

Fold the Cockpit Down

Fold the cockpit down so that the point lines up with the center fold line.

Step 4: Fold the 2nd Cockpit

Fold the 2nd Cockpit

Fold your second cockpit by folding your tow flaps down like the 2nd step.

Step 5: Make the First Folds of the Wings

Make the First Folds of the Wings

Fold another two flaps down to the center of the plane.

Starting to look like a real paper airplane now!

Step 6: The Second Folds of the Wings

The Second Folds of the Wings

Flip the airplane over and fold each side in to line up with the center fold of the plane.

Step 7: Ready for Takeoff!

Ready for Takeoff!

Flip the plane over one last time and open up the folds so that you have the 'body' of the plane to hold on to (like pictured).

You are now ready for a test flight.

To fly well, fly inside and throw as hard as you can.

DISCLAIMER: DO NOT THROW AT AN ANIMAL OR HUMAN BEING.

Step 8: Bonus Step

Bonus Step

If you want your paper airplane to go even further, put a paperclip on the forward body of the plane. The weight will help it fly farther.

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Participated in the Toss It! Speed Contest

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Moms and Crafters

How to make a fast paper airplane

Sharing is caring!

how to make a paper fast airplane

Ready to learn how to make a fast paper airplane with just ONE step more than the classic? You’ll love this tutorial, as well as these easy paper airplane templates too! This post contains affiliate links.

How to make a fast paper airplane hero image with a boy holding the plane up

Are your kids looking for a boredom buster for a quiet day?

Or maybe you’re challenging your friends with some paper airplane races?

Today I’m excited to teach you how to make a fast paper airplane with a subtle take on the classic that improves the aerodynamics of this classic paper craft. And of course, it’s just as easy as the original, and so quick to make!

how to make a paper fast airplane

Bonus points: there are so many STEM lessons to learn while learning how to make a fast paper airplane!

Why this paper airplane goes faster

As a child, we used to turn every school paper we were done with into a paper airplane. We folded it in half the long way, folded down the two top corners to meet in the middle, and then folded it in half. We then folded the sides into flaps.

how to make a paper fast airplane

To make a faster paper airplane, you simply need to make an additional fold after you fold down the corner. This is the tiny little trick how to make a fast paper airplane that’ll impress your buddies (or your child, if you are like me, a mom who needs to prove to her sons that she has some street cred A.K.A. MAD paper airplane skills.)

So how does it work?

The narrower wings catch less air, making it move smoother and flutter less. This makes it go faster. When it catches the air, it slows down.

how to make a paper fast airplane

In addition, the extra fold puts more weight on the front of the plane, which helps it to not pitch upward and make those annoying loop-di-loops that stop it from flying on the straight and narrow…

how to make a paper fast airplane

Challenges to expand on how to make a fast paper airplane

Want to experiment and see if you can make this paper airplane tutorial even faster? Try the following challenges:

  • Make your last fold deeper or more shallow. How does it affect the flight path?
  • What happens if you skip the first fold and cut off the corners instead. Does that shift the weight at all?
  • Try skipping fold #2 entirely, the way we used to as kids. What does that do? How fast is your plane then?
  • Try adding a paperclip to the tip of the airplane. How fast and far will it fly? Now try adding it to the back, clipping the center fold together. What does that do? Now add a paperclip to each wing. How does that affect the flight?
  • Fold up the tips of your wings. Does it catch the air differently?
  • Try it with heavier weight paper to see how that affects it. You can try making this with different proportions of paper as well – as long as it’s a rectangle.

how to make a paper fast airplane

There are so many ways to challenge yourself with how to make a fast paper airplane that are way to science-y for artsy me, but I did love this method. I leave the rest of the experimentation to you!

Now I’m off to teach M how to make these too…

how to make a paper fast airplane

Download the free printable instructions

To download, fill out the form below. You’ll be signed up for our free newsletter – unsubscribe at any time in the footer of the emails. I respect your privacy and the law and won’t share your information with anyone.

how to make a paper fast airplane

What you need to make this

  • Rectangular paper – such as copy paper in fun colors
  • Optional: a bone folder for crisper edgers
  • Optional: double sided tape to hold things securely
  • Optional: paper clips to experiment with the aerodynamics

1. Fold your paper in half the long way.

how to make a paper fast airplane

2. Unfold it.

how to make a paper fast airplane

3. Fold down the two top corners so that they meet at the center line, and so that the original top of the paper is now flush with the center line.

how to make a paper fast airplane

4. Now fold again so that your new top two sides are again flush with the center line.

how to make a paper fast airplane

5. Turn your fast paper airplane sideways and fold it in half on the line of the original crease.

how to make a paper fast airplane

6. Fold down a wing that reaches from the front tip to halfway down the back of the plane. Your super duper fast paper airplane is complete! If you’d like, you can secure any parts that are annoying you with double sided tape, as long as it doesn’t affect the flight of your plane!

how to make a paper fast airplane

I hope you loved learning all about faster paper airplanes! What’s your favorite way to do this? Did you discover anything cool in your experimentation? Comment below!

how to make a paper fast airplane

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Amber Robertson is the founder of Quill and Fox. A creative writing studio that helps people find their voice and share their stories. Amber is also a published author, with her first book slated for release in 2020. She loves spending time with her family and friends, reading, writing, and traveling. When Amber was younger, she loved to write short stories and plays. But somewhere along the way, she lost touch with her creativity. It wasn’t until she became a mom that she realized how important it was to share her stories—both the good and the bad—with the people she loves most. That’s when Quill and Fox was born. Amber is passionate about helping others find their voice and share their stories. She believes that every person has a story worth telling, and it’s her mission to help them tell it in a way that is authentic and true to themselves

How To Make The Fastest Paper Airplane

How to Make the Fastest Paper Airplane: A Comprehensive Guide

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Table of Contents

Are you tired of making paper airplanes that barely fly? Do you want to impress your friends by creating the fastest paper airplane ever made? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we will teach you how to make the fastest paper airplane that will soar through the air with ease.

Introduction

A hand demonstrating the first step in making a paper airplane

Paper airplanes are more than just a childhood pastime. They can be a fun and educational way to learn about aerodynamics and engineering. Making a paper airplane that flies well requires skill and patience. In this guide, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions and tips that will help you create the fastest paper airplane.

Understanding the Basics of Paper Airplane-Making

To make a paper airplane that flies well, you need to have the right materials and understand the basic folding techniques. Here are the essentials:

Materials Needed

  • A sheet of 8.5 x 11-inch paper
  • Scissors (optional)
  • Ruler (optional)

Basic Folding Techniques

There are three basic folds that you need to know to make a paper airplane:

  • Valley fold: folding the paper down the middle, creating a crease that runs parallel to the shorter sides of the paper.
  • Mountain fold: folding the paper up along the center crease, creating a crease that runs parallel to the longer sides of the paper.
  • Wing fold: folding the paper at an angle to create the wings of the airplane.

Different Types of Paper Airplanes

There are many different types of paper airplanes, each with its unique design and flying characteristics. Some of the most popular paper airplane designs include the dart, glider, and stunt plane. In the next section, we will discuss the techniques you can use to make a faster paper airplane.

Techniques for Making a Faster Paper Airplane

To make a paper airplane that flies faster, you need to focus on three key areas: improving aerodynamics, adjusting weight distribution, and changing the shape of the wings.

Improving Aerodynamics

The key to making a faster paper airplane is to reduce drag and increase lift. To do this, you can try the following:

  • Make sure your folds are crisp and clean to reduce air resistance.
  • Create a pointed nose to reduce drag.
  • Add small flaps to the wings to increase lift.

Adjusting Weight Distribution

The weight distribution of your paper airplane can affect its speed and stability. To adjust the weight distribution, you can try the following:

  • Move the wings forward or backward to adjust the center of gravity.
  • Add weight to the nose or tail of the airplane to adjust the balance.

Changing the Shape of the Wings

The shape of the wings can affect the lift and stability of your paper airplane. To change the shape of the wings, you can try the following:

  • Create a dihedral angle by bending the wings upward at the tips to increase stability.
  • Create anhedral angle by bending the wings downward at the tips to increase speed.

Testing and Refining Your Paper Airplane

After you’ve made your paper airplane, it’s time to test it and make any necessary adjustments. Here are the steps to follow:

Conducting Test Flights

  • Find a large, open space to test your paper airplane.
  • Make sure the conditions are suitable for flying (no wind or rain).
  • Hold your paper airplane at the back of the wings and throw it forward with a smooth, level throw.

Analyzing Its Flight Characteristics

  • Observe how your paper airplane flies.
  • Does it fly straight or veer to one side?
  • Does it climb or descend quickly?
  • Does it glide or fall quickly?

Making Necessary Adjustments

  • Based on your observations, make any necessary adjustments to the weight distribution, the shape of the wings, or the aerodynamics.
  • Test your paper airplane again and continue making adjustments until you’re satisfied with its performance.

Tips for Throwing Your Paper Airplane

Making a fast paper airplane is only half the battle. To get the most out of your creation, you need to know how to throw it properly. Here are some tips to help you launch your paper airplane like a pro:

Proper Throwing Technique

Hold the paper airplane at the bottom of the fuselage between your thumb and forefinger. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and extend your arm forward. As you release the airplane, give it a slight upward flick to help it gain altitude.

Launching from Different Heights

Launching your paper airplane from different heights can affect its flight path and speed. For example, launching from a higher height will give your airplane more potential energy, allowing it to fly faster and farther. Experiment with launching from different heights to see how it affects your airplane’s performance.

Throwing in Different Wind Conditions

Wind can have a significant impact on your paper airplane’s flight path. If it’s windy outside, try launching your airplane into the wind, so it has more lift. If the wind is blowing across your launch area, adjust your throwing angle accordingly to compensate for the wind’s direction.

In conclusion, making the fastest paper airplane requires more than just folding a piece of paper. By following the techniques outlined in this guide, you can create a paper airplane that is not only fast but also flies well. Remember to experiment with different designs and techniques to find what works best for you. With practice and patience, you’ll soon be creating paper airplanes that soar through the air with ease. So go ahead, grab a piece of paper, and start folding!

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How to make a Fast Paper Airplane – Easy and Fast

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Introduction:

For this tutorial, we are going to make a paper plane that is specially designed for speed. Due to its small wings and pointed shape, this aircraft flies quickly. The plane does not only fly at an amazing speed, but it is also quick and easy to make. Anyone can make this plane with the help of the tutorial below.

Diagonally Fold the Top Left and Right Corners

How to make a fast paper airplane - 01

Put the paper upright in front of you.

How to make a fast paper airplane - 02

Now vertically fold the paper in half and then unfold it .

How to make a fast paper airplane - 03

Fold the left and right corners to the middle crease line.

How to make a fast paper airplane - 04

Diagonally fold the top right corner to the middle.

How to make a fast paper airplane - 05

Diagonally fold the top left corner to the middle.

Make the Body of the Plane

How to make a fast paper airplane - 06

In the next step, you have to fold the right edge one more time to the middle crease line.

How to make a fast paper airplane - 07

Fold the left edge to the middle as well.

How to make a fast paper airplane - 08

Vertically fold it in half by bringing the right edge to the left edge.

Make the Wings of the Fast Plane

How to make a fast paper airplane - 09

Fold a portion of the top flap to the right to make a wing.

How to make a fast paper airplane - 10

Mountain fold the back flap to the right side as well to make the other wing.

How to make a fast paper airplane - 11

Flare out the wings of the paper plane.

Your super fast paper airplane is done! Due to its small wings, throw the arrow with more force than other paper planes. That way it flies faster.

  • Use a long strip of scotch tape and stick it under the fuselage of the paper airplane.
  • Paint your plane with cool details like stars on the wings, a flight number plate, and a cockpit.
  • If you want your paper airplane to fly even better, use another strip of scotch tape. Connect both wings with the strip so that they stay together in flight. If the wings stop falling apart, the air resistance is lower, and the arrow flies faster through the air.

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How to make paper airplanes, detailed fold and fly instructions for 50 awesome designs.

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Over 50 flying paper airplane designs with written and video step-by-step folding instructions. All classes of paper airplanes are represented from darts to gliders to jets to schoolyard contest winners. There are models that look really cool, or fly super far or stay aloft for extend periods of time.

How to Make a Paper Airplane Go Far & Fast

Things you'll need.

Sheet of computer paper, 8.5" x 11"

...

Ken Blackburn set the Guinness World Record for time aloft for paper airplanes in 1998 with a 27.6 second flight. He has held the record for a combined total of 24 years between 1983 and 2009. Blackburn divides paper airplane flight into two distinct phases with conflicting aerodynamic properties: launch phase and gliding flight. In order to make your paper airplane fly as far and fast as possible you must balance wing length and paper weight to ensure that your plane performs well under both phases of flight.

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Shorten the wings of your paper airplane to make it fly faster. Short wings can withstand faster throws than long wings. Optimize the flight time of short-winged planes by throwing them as high as possible and allowing them to glide downward quickly.

Video of the Day

Lengthen the wings of your paper airplane to make it glide farther. Long wings allow the paper airplane to glide longer distances through the air, but they cannot withstand fast launches. Optimize the flight time of long-winged planes by gently throwing them from as high as possible.

Fold the wings so they are at a dihedral angle. For a plane with dihedral wings, the tips of the wings are the highest part of the wing. Many people make the mistake of leaving the wings folded down at an anhedral angle, but folding the tips of the wings up provides better lateral stability and helps prevent your paper airplane from rolling on its back and crashing.

Add weight to the front of the plane to increase its stability during flight. This can be achieved by adding a paperclip or tape to the nose of the plane.

Include trim tabs at the back of the plane's wings. Trim tabs are small portions of the wing that can be folded up or down to make adjustments in the flight of the paper airplane. All good paper airplanes require some small adjustments beyond the initial folding, and trim tabs can be used to make these adjustments after performing test flights.

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How to Make a Paper Airplane: 29 Easy Designs with Steps

Home > How to Make a Paper Airplane: 29 Easy Designs with Steps

Paper airplanes have captivated the hearts and minds of both young and old, offering a simple yet delightful way to explore the fascinating world of flight. In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through the basics of crafting paper airplanes and introduce you to 29 distinctive designs to spark your creativity.

Guy Arbel

In this article, we will show exactly how to fold 29 of the best paper airplane designs out there.

What Makes a Paper Airplane Fly?

Understanding the Principles Behind Paper Aircraft Flight

Delving into the science that underpins the flight of paper airplanes can elevate your enjoyment of crafting and piloting these paper marvels. Numerous factors contribute to the performance of a paper airplane:

Aerodynamics: The shape and dimensions of the wings, alongside the overall design, wield substantial influence. This interplay dictates the lift generated by the wings, as well as the combined effects of drag and gravity, ultimately dictating the flight trajectory.

Balance: Attaining an equilibrium in the center of gravity is pivotal for flight stability. Any deviation, be it a nose-heavy or tail-heavy configuration, can hinder a straight and steady flight path.

Airflow Dynamics: The manner in which air flows both over and beneath the wings exerts a profound impact on lift generation. Wings with smoother, streamlined profiles typically yield superior flight performance.

Launch Technique: The force applied and the angle at which you release the paper airplane into the air significantly shape its flight trajectory. Experimenting with various launch techniques can refine and optimize flight performance.

The 2023 Record for Paper Airplane Flight

Turning to the present year of 2023, the distinction for the greatest distance traveled by a paper airplane rests in the capable hands of John Collins, a distinguished aerospace engineer. This extraordinary feat was accomplished back in February 2012 when Collins’s paper creation, affectionately named “Suzanne,” embarked on an astonishing journey, covering an impressive distance of 69.14 meters (equivalent to 226 feet and 10 inches). Collins’s remarkable achievement not only epitomizes the sheer delight found in crafting and guiding paper airplanes through the air but also underscores the immense distances these meticulously designed marvels can traverse when launched with precision.

In Conclusion

Crafting a paper airplane is a straightforward and enjoyable undertaking, devoid of the necessity for video tutorials. Armed with the requisite folding techniques and meticulous attention to detail, you can give life to your aerial masterpiece. An appreciation for the underlying science of paper airplane flight will undoubtedly deepen your enjoyment of this enduring pastime. So, seize a sheet of paper, initiate the art of folding, and release your imagination as your paper creation embarks on its airborne journey. Who knows? You may very well find yourself in the annals of history, having shattered the world record someday!

So, let’s start, shall we?

Challenge your folding skills with an intricate origami-inspired design that’s both art and aircraft.

Air rider is a decorative type of paper airplane. Although it is easy to fold, it requires attention to get the design right.

Folding instructions of Air Rider paper airplane

Time : 5 min

Supply : Paper A4 if you have

Tool : Clean flat surface, Sizers (optinal)

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the corner to the side

how to make a paper fast airplane

cut the spare paper

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the top corner down leaving about an inch or 2.5cm from the bottom

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold one of the conners up half of the height of your previous fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the paper in half

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the wing in an angle as shown

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fold the left edge down on itself

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the other wing in an angle as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

very nice decorative bird like plane

how to make a paper fast airplane

enjoy flying this plane 🙂

The foundation of all paper airplanes , this design is perfect for beginners. It’s easy to fold and flies straight.

Folding instructions of The O.G paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the corner into the center of the page

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the other corner into the center of the page

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the triangle again to the center

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the other triangle again to the center

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the wing (triangle) in the other diraction intil it alines with the bottom

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the other wing (triangle) in the other diraction intil it alines with the bottom

how to make a paper fast airplane

very fast airplane for long distances

If you seek smooth, long-distance flights, this design will glide gracefully through the air.

Folding instructions of Arrow Piercing paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

now fold the paper in half

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the egde again aligning it with the middle fold line

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the other egde again aligning it with the middle fold line

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the wing about 1 cm or 1/2″

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the other wing about 1 cm or 1/2″

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the adge of the wing up

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fold the adge of other the wing up

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fast and long distands airplane

Air jumper paper airplane might be a bit tricky as it is not very easy nor does it require expert skills. You can redo some steps until you’re able create the design.

There you have it, get it to fly straight is a bit difficult use glue to keep it closed for better steer!

Folding instructions of Air Jumper paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the botton corner to the opposite upper conrner

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the fold about 1 cm or 1/2″ upwards

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fold the wing with a slight angle

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fold the other wing with a slight angle

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fold the wing parallel to the middle fold

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fold the other wing parallel to the middle fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

there you have it, get it to fly straight is a bit difficult use glue to keep it closed for better steer!

Bongo-Longo is an easy to create paper airplane. The step-by-step instructions below are easily understandable. Also, you can fly this paper airplane for a distance.

Folding instructions of Bongo-Longo paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the half in half again

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open the paper

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the top to the middle

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fold the top corners top the lines that were created by the fold

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fold the triengles that were created inwards and fold the paper down

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fold the sides to the middle

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fold the wing from the centerfold

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fold the other wing from the centerfold

how to make a paper fast airplane

slowly gliding in circles

For the newbies, cripper paper airplane might need some skills to get it right. Therefore, you may need to recreate the design for a few times to grasp the instructions and build Cripper.

Folding instructions of Cripper paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

start with a squar page

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the paper to a triangle

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the bottom of the trianlgle up about 1″ or 2.5cm

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the wing like the picture

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fold the other side the same

how to make a paper fast airplane

now fold the wing parallel to the middle fold

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now fold the other wing parallel to the middle fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

difficult plane to fold and to fly not for noobs!

This is a hard to create paper airplane. However, it can fly through the air for a distance.

which can make up for the time we delayed in its construction.

Folding instructions of Float Master paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

place a paper

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the left corner to the right edge

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the right corner to the left edge

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fold the triangles in as shown

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fold the loose right side up towards the top edge

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do the same for the right side

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move the fold to the left and fold the right side to the middle fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

same for the other side

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fold the airplane in half

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the wing a little bit tilted from the center fold

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fold the other wing bit tilted from the center fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

now fold the triangle that was left a little bit tilted from the center fold as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

do the same to the other side

how to make a paper fast airplane

depends on how you tilt the folds, it will fly differently

You need to make about seventeen folds to create Flybird paper airplane. It is hard to create this design and redoing some steps or the whole process can help you improve your skills.

Folding instructions of Flybird paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the paper in half and open it

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold top right corner to the left side the bottom that was created is used to mark as the line to fold to in the next step, open the paper

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the paper to the mark in the previous step

how to make a paper fast airplane

open the paper and fold it to the fold line that was created

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold it again

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the right side as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

do the same to the left side

how to make a paper fast airplane

now fold the edges again to the center fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the tip to the place where the folds from the previos step meet

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold a wing with a slight angle as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

do the same to the other wing

how to make a paper fast airplane

make another fold to the wing

how to make a paper fast airplane

try playing with the folds of the wings for better results

This decorative type paper airplane can be hard to create. While it takes about nineteen folds to create it, it can fly in the air for a distance.

Folding instructions of Flying Angel paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the top of the paper randomly toward the middle of he paper

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the left corner paraller to the center fold as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

flip the paper and do the same to the other side

how to make a paper fast airplane

open the fold and fold the right sidde to the fold line that was created

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold it againg to the center fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the top to the bottom

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fold it again up close and parallel to the middle horizontal fold

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fold the right “leftover” down on top of the fold as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the left “leftover” down on top of the fold as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold a wing parallel to the center fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the other wing parallel to the center fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the edge of he wing parallel to the wing

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the other edge of he wing parallel to the wing

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try to make it symmetrical as possible for better performance

Little One is a hard to make paper airplane. Thus, it may require some practice to get it right. Nonetheless, you can fly it for long distance in the air.

Folding instructions of Little One paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the triangle to the bottom

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the triangle again upwards about 1 cm or 1/2″ from the top

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the triangle again downwards to the bottom of the previos fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the wing paralel to the middle fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

good for long distances

how to make a paper fast airplane

one more step and you there

how to make a paper fast airplane

Although it only takes about nine folds to create NARO, it is a hard to make paper airplane. It can fly high in the air for a distance.

Folding instructions of NARO paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the paper in half and open it up (to find the middle)

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the paper to the middle

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold it again to the bottom of the fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the paper in half away from you

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold a wing

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the other wing

how to make a paper fast airplane

open the folded wings (to the end of step 5) and cut that shape as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the wings again and there you have it

It is an acrobatic paper airplane that requires about thirteen folds to create it. You may need some extra minutes to create a perfect design since it is a medium difficulty level paper airplane.

Folding instructions of Never Leave Me paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the paper 90 degrees in half

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the top corners to the middle fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the paper in half again

how to make a paper fast airplane

now again fold the top corner to the bottom

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do the same for the other corner

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fold the wing parallel to the center fold

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fold the edge of the wing

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fold the other edge of the wing

how to make a paper fast airplane

maneuver airplane

NOBACA is a hard to create paper airplane. Therefore, you may need to exercise patience and maybe recreate the designs for a few times to get it right.

Folding instructions of NOBACA paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the corner to the bottom

how to make a paper fast airplane

cut the spare paper (save it)

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the paper to the other direction

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the triangles that were created inwards

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fold the botton corner to the top corner

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repeat for the other corner

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fold the part you cut from earlier in half

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fold the top corner of the part to the middle fold

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fold the other top corner of the part to the middle fold

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put the part inside the folded paper until the edge

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fold the edge to the middle fold as shown

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repeat for the other edge

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fold the top down of the lines that were created

how to make a paper fast airplane

find the right grip for you try to leave it as open as you can when throwing it!

how to make a paper fast airplane

It is a medium difficulty level paper airplane. Besides, it can fly for a distance through the air. Thus, enjoy flying it on an open space.

Folding instructions of NONO paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

cut the edge in an arch shape

how to make a paper fast airplane

open the paper and fold the top corners to the middle fold line

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the triangles that were created down

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the top corners in 45 degrees to meat the lines of the folded triangle

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fold the top part about 1.5 cm or 1/2″

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fold the wings parallel to the center fold

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it flies in a circular motion

Open Last is an acrobatic type of paper airplane that needs expert skills to create it. Hence, more guidance, practice, and patience are needed to perfect this design.

Folding instructions of Open Last paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the upper corner to the bottom of the middle fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the other upper corner to the bottom of the middle fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

open the page the fold the triangles that created together to the bottom center of the fold and create a “tail”

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fold the tail that was created to a shape of a diamond

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fold the wing upwards

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fold the other wing upwards

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fold the wing again to the back

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fold the other wing again to the back

how to make a paper fast airplane

very fast airplane, the folds are a bit tricky try folding step 10 not all the way down and see if you get better results

This acrobatic type of paper airplane requires medium difficulty level. Therefore, with eleven folds, you can recreate for a few times to achieve the design.

Folding instructions of Playing in Clouds paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the edge of the wing up

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fold the edge of other the wing up

how to make a paper fast airplane

try playing with the place you fold the wings and the edge of the wings for better results

Although Shadow Drop paper airplane requires medium difficulty level, you can follow the instructions and nail it even for the first time. Besides, it is a great design to try.

Folding instructions of Shadow Drop paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

open the paper and fold the top top the centerfold as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the edges to the fold line

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fold the edges again down to the fold line

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fold the top to the fold line as shown

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fold the wing

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the front of the wings a little down for better glide

Although Skyhunter belongs to medium difficulty level category, you can get its folds by observation. Also, Skyhunter can fly for a distance through the air.

Folding instructions of Skyhunter paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

open the page

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold about quarter of the page

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fold that quarter in half

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fold that half in another half

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the wing in a slight angle towards the front

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fold the other wing in a slight angle towards the front

how to make a paper fast airplane

long distance flight

how to make a paper fast airplane

This is an expert difficulty level paper airplane that requires skills to fold it right. Thus, it may take time to get the folds and create the perfect paper airplane.

Folding instructions of Tales of Wind and Love paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the paper about the upper third down as shown

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fold the paper in half to the side

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fold the top left corner down to the right side

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open the paper and fold the corners inside as shown

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fold the middle right corner inside the fold to the left edge

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do the same for the left middle corner

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flip the paper and fold it down to the bottom

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using a ruler fold the edges as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the tip up as shown

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fold the wings

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fold the edges of the wings

how to make a paper fast airplane

glides nicely

The Crazy Plane is an acrobatic type of paper airplane. It takes about twelve folds to achieve the design. Some folds may require attention and recreating them for a few times to get them right.

Folding instructions of The Crazy Plane paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

flip the paper and fold the top right to about quarter of the bottom as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

do the same to the other corner

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the two triangles that were created up and fold the paper down

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fold the sides to the center fold

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fold everything up as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the corners in as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

now fold the wings as shown

It is a decorative type of paper airplane. However, it is a hard design that may take time and skills to get it right.

Folding instructions of The Last Son of Sky paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the wing to meat the edge in a straight line as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

now fold the wing again to the other direction parallel to the center fold line

how to make a paper fast airplane

open the fold and fold the top edge down

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the top edge up again as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

super cool looking airplane unfortunately doesn’t fly well

how to make a paper fast airplane

Creating the Rainmaker paper airplane can be hard. With twenty folds, you can create a paper airplane that can fly for distance through the air.

Folding instructions of The Rainmaker paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the top right corner to the center fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the top left corner to the centerfold

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the upper left line of the tiengle to the right side as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

do the same to the right side

how to make a paper fast airplane

flip the paper

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the triangle that was created as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold an accordion fold as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the two corners inside as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the wing as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

do the same for the other edge

how to make a paper fast airplane

try folding the wings larger for different gliding results

You can create this great design with ten folds. Although you may recreate it for a few times or redo some steps, it is an exciting paper airplane to try.

Folding instructions of The Rising paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the triangles where they meet down in a stright line

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the triangle to the middle fold line

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the other triangle to the middle fold line

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the tip on to the second triangles

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the plane in half and fold the wing in a stright line

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the other wing in a stright line

how to make a paper fast airplane

try throughing it up side down!

The Wind Crusher is a hard acrobatic paper airplane. For this, it may take you some time to learn it for a perfect design.

Folding instructions of The Wind Crusher paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the tringles in as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the loose right side up torwards the top edge

how to make a paper fast airplane

same for the right side

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold that to the middle fold as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

open the left sidwe and fold it in as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the tringles down as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

move the left tringle and fold the left side to the center

how to make a paper fast airplane

do the same to the tight side

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the tringles you moved on the sides

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the top down as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

This is an expert difficulty level paper airplane that requires skills to nail it. Even so, you can dedicate a few minutes a day to learn its eighteen folds.

Folding instructions of Ultimatu paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold top right corner to the left side and open the paper

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold top left corner to the right side and open the paper

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold an accordion fold inward like shown

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fold the right side up to the top as shown

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fold the left side up to the top as shown

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the the right fold again parallel to the center fold

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the the left fold again parallel to the center fold

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fold the top of the triangle on top the previous folds as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

insert the right fold into the “pocket” of the upper fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

insert the left fold into the “pocket” of the upper fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the left side in an imaginary line that stretches from the top left corner to the bottom left corner as shown

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fold the tip of the left fold that was created parallel to the left side

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the tip of the right fold that was created parallel to the right side

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the middle of the tale inwards and done!

how to make a paper fast airplane

This is an easy to fold type of paper airplane. With only eight folds, you can create Vertical Drop with the first attempt.

Folding instructions of Vertical Drop paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the plane in half

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the wing in a stright line

This is an expert difficulty level acrobatic paper airplane. Therefore, it may require practice and a lot of learning to get the perfect design.

Folding instructions of When Love Fails paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the paper down not until the end

how to make a paper fast airplane

move the right side of the triangle and fold the right side parallel to the center fold as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

do the same for the left side

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flip the paper and fold it down as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the top up as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

tell up in what direction it flies for you!

White Cloud is an acrobatic paper airplane that takes five minutes to create. However, it may require attention to get it right if you’re a newbie.

Folding instructions of White Cloud paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

open the paper fold it down in the middle of the X shape that was created

how to make a paper fast airplane

open the paper and fold the triangles in as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the loose right side down towards the middle fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

flip the paper and fold the top egde down to the bottom

how to make a paper fast airplane

flip the paper again and fold the top egde up as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the parallel to the center fold

Although this is a medium difficulty level paper airplane, you can create it with just one attempt. Also, it can fly through the air for a distance.

Folding instructions of White Feather paper airplane

how to make a paper fast airplane

open the second fold and fold the top corner to the middle fold as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the other top corners to the middle fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

now again fold the top corner to the middle fold

how to make a paper fast airplane

fold the top of the paper down as shown

how to make a paper fast airplane

you can fold the wing edges up or down for different performance!

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‘Shortcuts Everywhere’: How Boeing Favored Speed Over Quality

Problems have plagued the manufacturer even after two fatal crashes, and many current and former employees blame its focus on making planes more quickly.

A Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft on a test flight in Renton, Wash. “They were just trying to get the plane rate up,” a former mechanic there said of the company. Credit... David Ryder/Bloomberg

Supported by

Niraj Chokshi

By Niraj Chokshi ,  Sydney Ember and Santul Nerkar

  • Published March 28, 2024 Updated March 29, 2024

In February last year, a new Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max plane was on one of its first flights when an automated stabilizing system appeared to malfunction, forcing the pilots to make an emergency landing soon after they took off.

Less than two months later, an Alaska Airlines 737 Max plane with eight hours of total flight time was briefly grounded until mechanics resolved a problem with a fire detection system. And in November, an engine on a just-delivered United Airlines 737 Max failed at 37,000 feet.

These incidents, which the airlines disclosed to the Federal Aviation Administration, were not widely reported. There were no indications that anyone was in danger, and it was not clear who was ultimately responsible for those problems. But since Jan. 5, when a panel on a two-month-old Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 jet blew off in midair, episodes like these have taken on new resonance, raising further questions about the quality of the planes Boeing is producing.

“There’s a lot of areas where things don’t seem to be put together right in the first place,” said Joe Jacobsen, an engineer and aviation safety expert who spent more than a decade at Boeing and more than 25 years at the F.A.A.

“The theme is shortcuts everywhere — not doing the job right,” he added.

Such reports, and interviews with aviation safety experts and more than two dozen current and former Boeing employees, paint a worrying picture about a company long considered to be at the pinnacle of American engineering. They suggest that Boeing is struggling to improve quality years after two crashes of Max 8 planes in 2018 and 2019 killed nearly 350 people.

Some of the crucial layers of redundancies that are supposed to ensure that Boeing’s planes are safe appear to be strained, the people said. The experience level of Boeing’s work force has dropped since the start of the pandemic. The inspection process intended to provide a vital check on work done by its mechanics has been weakened over the years. And some suppliers have struggled to adhere to quality standards while producing parts at the pace Boeing wanted them.

Under pressure to show regulators, airlines and passengers that the company is taking its latest crisis seriously, Boeing announced sweeping changes to its leadership on Monday. The chief executive, Dave Calhoun, will leave at the end of the year, and Stan Deal, the head of the commercial planes division, which makes the 737 Max, retired immediately. The company’s chairman, Larry Kellner, stepped down from that position and will not seek re-election to the board.

When he took the top job in January 2020, Mr. Calhoun said he was determined to improve the company’s safety culture. It added directors with engineering and safety expertise and created a safety committee on its board. Boeing said that it had increased the number of quality inspectors for commercial planes by 20 percent since 2019 and that inspections per plane had also risen.

After the Max 8 crashes, Boeing and its regulators focused most on the cause of those accidents: flawed design and software. Yet some current and former employees say problems with manufacturing quality were also apparent to them at the time and should have been to executives and regulators as well.

After the Jan. 5 mishap, a six-week F.A.A. audit of Boeing’s 737 Max production documented dozens of lapses in Boeing’s quality-control practices. The agency has given the company three months , or until about late May, to address quality-control issues.

Federal officials have traced the panel blowout to Boeing’s factory in Renton, Wash., where the 737 Max is assembled. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the panel was removed but appeared to have been reinstalled without bolts that secured it in place. That panel is known as a “door plug” and is used to cover the gap left by an unneeded emergency exit.

Current and former Boeing employees said the incident reflected longstanding problems. Several said employees often faced intense pressure to meet production deadlines, sometimes leading to questionable practices that they feared could compromise quality and safety.

Davin Fischer, a former mechanic in Renton, who also spoke to the Seattle TV station KIRO 7 , said he noticed a cultural shift starting around 2017, when the company introduced the Max.

“They were trying to get the plane rate up and then just kept crunching, crunching and crunching to go faster, faster, faster,” he said.

The Max was introduced in response to a new fuel-efficient plane from the European manufacturer Airbus. Boeing increased production from about 42 Max jets a month in early 2017 to about 52 the next year. That pace collapsed to virtually zero soon after the second crash, in Ethiopia, when regulators around the world grounded the plane. Flights aboard the Max resumed in late 2020 , and the company began to increase production again to avoid falling further behind Airbus.

Now, some Boeing executives admit that they made mistakes.

“For years, we prioritized the movement of the airplane through the factory over getting it done right, and that’s got to change,” Brian West, the company’s chief financial officer, said at an investor conference last week.

how to make a paper fast airplane

Mr. Calhoun has also acknowledged that Boeing must improve but has defended the company’s approach to production. “Over the last several years, we’ve taken close care not to push the system too fast, and we have never hesitated to slow down, to halt production or to stop deliveries to take the time we need to get things right,” he said in January.

Current and former Boeing employees, most of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters and feared retaliation, offered examples of how quality has suffered over the years. Many said they still respected the company and its employees and wanted Boeing to succeed.

One quality manager in Washington State who left Boeing last year said workers assembling planes would sometimes try to install parts that had not been logged or inspected, an attempt to save time by circumventing quality procedures intended to weed out defective or substandard components.

In one case, the employee said, a worker sent parts from a receiving area straight to the factory floor before a required inspection.

A worker currently at Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner factory in North Charleston, S.C., described seeing numerous problems on planes being assembled, including wires being routed incorrectly, raising the risk that they could rub against one another, resulting in damage.

Employees would also sometimes go “inspector shopping” to find someone who would approve work, the worker said.

Some of the concerns echoed accusations of quality lapses by several whistle-blowers at Boeing’s South Carolina factory who spoke to The Times in 2019.

Several current and former employees in South Carolina and in Washington State said mechanics building planes were allowed in some instances to sign off on their own work. Such “self-verification” removes a crucial layer of quality control, they said.

Boeing said in a statement on Wednesday that it had eliminated self-inspections in South Carolina in 2021 and that the practice accounted for less than 10 percent of inspections at other sites. The company inspects each plane before delivery to make sure that wire bundles are appropriately spaced, the statement said, and it does not allow inspector shopping.

Another factor at play in recent years has been that Boeing’s workers have less experience than they did before the pandemic.

When the pandemic took hold in early 2020, air travel plummeted, and many aviation executives believed it would take years for passengers to return in large numbers. Boeing began to cut jobs and encouraged workers to take buyouts or retire early. It ultimately lost about 19,000 employees companywide — including some with decades of experience.

In late 2022, Boeing lost veteran engineers who retired to lock in bigger monthly pension payments, which were tied to interest rates, according to the union that represents them, the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace. More than 1,700 union members left the company that year, up from around 1,000 the year before. The members who left had been at the company for more than 23 years on average.

“We warned Boeing that it was going to lose a mountain of expertise, and we proposed some workarounds, but the company blew us off,” Ray Goforth, executive director of the union, said in a statement, adding that he thought the company used the retirements as an opportunity to cut costs by replacing veteran workers with “lower-paid entry-level engineers and technical workers.”

Boeing now employs 171,000 people, including in its commercial plane, defense, services and other divisions. That figure is up about 20 percent from the end of 2020. But many new workers are less seasoned, current and former employees said.

One Boeing employee who conducted quality inspections in Washington State until last year said the company did not always provide new employees with sufficient training, sometimes leaving them to learn crucial skills from more experienced colleagues.

Boeing said that since Jan. 5, employees had asked for more training and that it was working on meeting those needs, including by adding training on the factory floor this month.

District 751 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union, which represents more than 30,000 Boeing employees, said the average tenure of its members had dropped sharply in recent years. The proportion of its members who have less than six years of experience has roughly doubled to 50 percent from 25 percent before the pandemic.

After the Jan. 5 incident, Boeing announced changes to improve quality, including adding inspections at its factory in Renton and at the plant in Wichita, Kan., owned by a supplier, Spirit AeroSystems, that makes the bodies of Max planes.

Boeing recently said it would no longer accept Max bodies from Spirit that still needed substantial work. It previously tolerated flaws that could be fixed later in the interest of keeping production on schedule.

Addressing its problems could take Boeing time, aviation experts said, frustrating airlines that need new planes.

Some carriers said recently that they were rejiggering their growth plans because they expected fewer planes from Boeing. Airlines may try to buy more from Airbus.

“They need to go slow to go fast,” Scott Kirby, the chief executive of United Airlines, told investors this month, referring to Boeing. “I think they’re doing that.”

Do you work with Boeing?

We want to hear from people who have experience working at or with Boeing to better understand what we should be covering. We may use your contact information to follow up with you. We will not publish any part of your submission without your permission. If you have information that you want to share with The New York Times using tools that can help protect your anonymity, visit: https://www.nytimes.com/tips.

Niraj Chokshi writes about aviation, rail and other transportation industries. More about Niraj Chokshi

Sydney Ember is a Times business reporter, covering the U.S. economy and the labor market. More about Sydney Ember

Santul Nerkar is a reporter covering business and sports. More about Santul Nerkar

Boeing: A Company in Turmoil

Boeing is weathering a particularly difficult period: two fatal crashes, a loose panel that blew out during a flight, quality concerns and production slowdowns..

‘Shortcuts Everywhere’: Quality issues have plagued Boeing  even after two fatal crashes. Many employees blame the company’s focus on increasing production speed .

A Major Reshuffle : Boeing said that it was overhauling its leadership  amid its most significant safety crisis in years, announcing sweeping changes that included the departure of its chief executive, Dave Calhoun , at the end of the year.

United’s Planes : An engine fire sparked by plastic packaging wrap, a tire lost shortly after takeoff and a plane veering off the runway: These are among several recent incidents that have occurred  on Boeing flights operated by United Airlines.

Alaska Airlines Flight 1282: After a section of a plane blew out  10 minutes after it took off , there was increased scrutiny  on the plane’s manufacturer: Boeing . The Justice Department has since launched a criminal investigation .

Quality Control Issues: An audit that was initiated by the Federal Aviation Administration after the Alaska Airlines incident found dozens of problems  throughout Boeing’s manufacturing process and one of its key suppliers.

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